Recipe for Hotel Jerome granola

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At the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colo., crunchy-chunky-nutty granola is a popular breakfast choice, served with berries and milk or yogurt. “It’s one of the most frequently requested recipes,” says executive chef Rob Zack. “We go a little crazy with the nuts,” he says, adding, that “granola is really about the nuts, which provide the flavor.” Add dried fruits, such as cherries, cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots, to the mix after baking, if you like.

5

cups old-fashioned rolled oats

½

cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped

½

cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

½

cup green pumpkin seeds

½

cup skinned hazelnuts, coarsely chopped

½

cup unsalted pistachios

½

cup unsweetenedshredded coconut

½

cup wheat germ

¼

cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 slices

½

cup honey

½

cup maple syrup

¼

cup light brown sugar

¼

cup undiluted orange juice concentrate

1

tablespoon ground cinnamon

1

tablespoon vanilla extract

1

teaspoon kosher salt

1

tablespoon water

1. Set the oven at 325 degrees. Have on hand 2 large rimmed baking sheets, 12 by 17 inches each.

3. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir the butter, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice concentrate, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and water, until the butter melts. Bring to a boil and when the liquid bubbles at the edges, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully pour the maple mixture over the oat mixture and stir thoroughly until the oat mixture is coated all over. Spread on the baking sheets (it should not be more than ¾ inch thick).

4. Bake for 15 minutes. With a large spoon, stir well. Bake for 15 minutes and stir again. Continue to bake, stirring every 10 minutes, for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the granola is dark brown and mostly dry. It will crisp as it cools. Total baking time is 40 to 45 minutes.